I bought a piano. Here’s why (and it’s not because of a midlife crisis)

November 18, 2015

Dear Max

When I was in Croatia, I read a book, whose main character played the clarinet. I then started thinking about taking up an instrument, how nice it would be to play music (hopefully), and how great it might be to immerse myself in something not connected to a battery, to my wifi, or to my work.

I went through all the instruments I could play. Violin? Not sure I’ll be able to hold my head that way. Clarinet? Looks like I have to do too much multitasking. Flute? I feel too old for a flute. Guitar? No ways… I can’t sing. Then someone suggested the piano, which sounded like a great idea. I used to play the piano from around grade four to grade eight, and I think I liked it, even with the theory lessons and scales. I wasn’t great, I wasn’t terrible, and I guess I played as well as I put in (I think it was minimal). When we moved after my parents’ divorce, I came home one day to find my mom had sold my piano. Without telling me. Without asking me. I don’t know why I still hurt over that – maybe it was just one precious thing after one precious thing being taken away, maybe it’s that I had no control at the time, or maybe it’s just that something so awesome that my dad had given me was sold, for no real financial need, and without my “permission”. Granted, I didn’t play it much, but it still hurt.

My recent interest in playing again was not owing to a need to fix the past, but rather to do something cool. It’s not a bucket list thing, or a “I’m heading into a new decade soon so I NEED to try new things” thing. Rather, it’s about tuning in to something different, that hopefully will bring music to our ears.However, after looking at the high prices of pianos and not knowing where to even start, I gave up on the music fantasy for a bit, and opted to do something else new.

And then I came across this on Facebook, and it kinda spoke to me. It was like finding what could be a good match, and envisaging a very real lifetime of melody and harmony together.

I contacted the owner immediately, and the next day I went to look at it, with the help of Anna-Maria, a piano teacher who could suss out if we were looking at something off key, or in tune. It got the thumbs up, and I made an offer on my soon-to-be musical partner. Right now, I’m waiting for the piano to be delivered here, and get a tune-up and cleaning. After that, I’ll need a stool, some sheet music, and possibly a teacher, unless I can be disciplined to try teach myself (I fear the latter might not work well).

Whether the piano gathers dust, or whether I learn to play Chopsticks or Fur Elise, I’m so utterly excited to have a musical instrument again.